In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson

The next book that the Thursday evening book group will be reading is, “In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler’s Berlin” by Erik Larson. The tense scene is set early. William E. Dodd becomes the first ambassador to Hitler’s Germany in Berlin where he is forced to associate with the Nazis while his daughter pursues a relationship with Gestapo Chief Rudolf Diels. Suffused with the tense atmosphere of the period, and with unforgettable portraits of the bizarre Göring and the expectedly charming–yet wholly sinister–Goebbels, In the Garden of Beasts lends a stunning, eyewitness perspective on events as they unfold in real time, revealing an era of surprising nuance and complexity. The result is a dazzling, addictively readable work that speaks volumes about why the world did not recognize the grave threat posed by Hitler until Berlin, and Europe, were awash in blood and terror. In case this helps, this is the same author who wrote “The Devil in the White City” and “Isaac’s Storm.” Join us on Thursday evening, May 9th from 7-8:30 PM to discuss this award winning novel. For more information contact Sarah at 624-6560.